Just Another Day of Quarantine

After logging onto WordPress at least three times, I found that no blog post was forthcoming.  I know, I know, blog posts don’t just happen; you have to WRITE them.  Well, here I am, early Wednesday morning, trying to do just that.

My sister Diane approved Monday Punday and further suggested Tuesday Cruise Day. I could take a walk, run or ride, and blog about that.  That would have the charm of rhyme over my usual features of Running Commentary and Pedestrian Post.  Accordingly,  I went for both a run and a walk.

My walk was to the post office, because I had written a few more post cards.  I took a long walk before arriving home.  I put my Tablet in a bag.  It was a lovely shoulder bag purchased at Paca Gardens in Little Falls, NY, just to throw in a plug for a local business. Alas, it was snowing and I got no pictures.

Returning home, I read a book, looked at Facebook, watched some movies.  I called Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant in Herkimer for dinner.  Yum!  Later I heard it was National Take-out Day.  We got delivery, so perhaps it did not count.  Perhaps we should do real take-out tonight, just to be sure.

I see I am over 200 words, so I guess I’ll call it a Tired Tuesday post and hit Publish.  We’ll see if I can do better than a Wuss-Out Wednesday post later today.

 

Monday Movies

How about Monday Movies instead of Monstrous Monday?  For one reason, we watched a couple of movies I think I have pictures of in my Media Library.  But can I find them?

And you thought you had some strange bedfellows!

Our first feature was Straitjacket,  a William Castle movie starring Joan Crawford.  Steven was feeling down, and I thought a sweet, uplifting story about ax murders would cheer him up.  Who doesn’t love a good ax murder?

Is all permissible for Science?

Our second feature was The Tingler, another William Castle, this one starring Vincent Price.   Who doesn’t love Vincent Price?

Another questionable act of Science.

And here is another scene from that movie.  After The Tingler we took a break from movies to fix and enjoy dinner.

Speaking of murder…

Monday, of course is Dateline Day, with multiple episodes airing on OWN.  I have in fact lost track of The Valentine’s Day Mystery while I wrote this.

I like cake, too.

Looping back to Straitjacket,  here is Joan Crawford again.  She sure takes the cake, doesn’t she?  Any way you slice it, she is sweet.  I ax you, is that a star or what?

Now all the pun hating readers are groaning while all my fellow punsters are coming up with further plays on words.  And that gives me an idea for another feature:  Monday Punday.  Sunday Punday could work to.  I hope you’ll all stay tuned.

 

Sorry, But I’m Not Apologizing

I guess we all knew this was going to be a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  I went running this morning yet did not feel a Running Commentary post welling up within me. Likewise, no amount of movie watching has made me inclined for a Sunday Cinema post.  These things happen, I suppose.

The fact is, I feel not the slightest obligation to apologize for a foolish post during this stressful time.  Clearly, to run around having Mohawk Valley adventures would be irresponsible.   I am more than willing to risk my own health.   Alas, as is so often the case,  it is not only about me.

So shall I spend the next week or two hiding behind the Corona Virus (or as I prefer to call it, Covid 19) and posting only the lamest material?  That could happen.  I maintain it is the right thing to do, because some people are entertained by my nonsense, and entertainment is a definite service in times of quarantine.

Of course I will attempt to publish the most amusing posts possible.  I fear not much is possible today,  hence my Wrist to Forehead status.  On the other hand,  I am having a fairly enjoyable Sunday.  One cannot have everything.  Even if I have a dreadful day, I will strive to have a better blog post tomorrow.

 

A Saturday at Home

I have allowed it to become rather late in the day to make my Saturday blog post.  I know, I should have made a Saturday Running Commentary post earlier.  Then I walked to the post office with my weekly post cards, making a Pedestrian Post completely eligible.  Later yet, my husband, Steven, and I watched a few movies.  Saturday Cinema is not usually a thing, but it could be.

What today really was was Day One of the Quackenbush Quarantine,  as Steven dubbed it on Facebook yesterday.  I know, almost everyone is under quarantine,  but how many of us can be alliterative about it?  Yet another blessing for me to count.

Really, as things go, I have very little to complain about (not that THAT ever stops me!).  I am grateful for all my blessings and concerned for those that lack same.  I ask myself, what can I do to help?  One thing I did was to write more than my usual number of post cards.  I figure as we’re all stuck inside, not visiting anybody or gathering at the usual places,  a little personal mail would be welcome.

Next I hope to use my at home time to get my house together and to do more writing.  I am thinking about a new novel to start, one I may actually finish.  Then maybe I can dig out and finish the plays I have almost completed.

Oh, such ambitious plans!  Who knows but what I will do is go on more runs and watch more movies?  At least I will write a blog post about whatever I do.  Happy Corona Saturday, everyone.

 

Porch Sitting Preview

The Mohawk Valley really warmed up today, with highs close to 70!  Steven and I actually sat on our front porch for a while.  I took a few pictures.

I LOVE grey skies!

We did not know how long we would be able to sit out, because ominous storm clouds were moving in.

These are even better!

As I moved off the porch to get this shot, I reassured a couple of kids playing soccer that I was photographing the sky, not them.  They were not too worried about it.  Then Steven said, “Take a picture of the soccer players!”  I asked them, and they said OK.

They had some pretty good moves, but I was unable to capture any.

We enjoyed sitting watching the clouds move in and the kids play soccer.

The porch roof kind of blocks this one.

 

The clouds moved in further…

 

And further!

Eventually it started raining.  We kept sitting on the porch, even when the rain blew in on us.  We did not get too wet. Then it stopped raining, and we felt vindicated.  When the wind started to feel a little chilly, we came back inside.

It was wonderful to sit on the porch in warm temperatures.  The weekend is supposed to be cold, but we know the overall trend will be warm.  Come on, spring!

 

 

Salvatore’s for Supper

Today Steven and I decided to help our local economy and one of our favorite restaurants by ordering in.  Eating a delicious dinner we did not have to fix was strictly by the wayside.

Steven called Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant in Herkimer and ordered lasagna, which is on special on Thursdays (I never like to call places on the telephone).  When Steven asked what they had for dessert that two could share, they suggested chocolate spoon cake or strawberry cheesecake.  I voted for spoon cake! Yum!

Delivery did not take long, and we were soon enjoying our food.  Alas, I did not take a picture.  That’s a habit I have never gotten into: taking a picture of my food before I eat it.  I know others do, because I see it when they share the pictures to Facebook.  I think it is supposed to be a good dieter’s thing to do, because it makes you more aware of what you eat.  So much for my weight loss goals!

It was a delicious supper.  I encourage everyone to support local eateries by ordering delivery or take out.  I’m going to make a list of local places for us.

Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant is located at 650 1/2 German St. In Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-866-2600.  You can check out their specials on Facebook.

 

We’ll Be Sociable Again!

Apropos nothing, here’s me and a friend pretending it’s the 1920’s.

I wanted to open with a picture, and for some reason, this one spoke to me.  It is Jay Groah and me at the Ritz and Ragtime at Rutger Park fundraiser for the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica.

Here’s the thing:  this social distancing thing is really hard on a gregarious soul like mine.  In lieu of a Tired Tuesday post,  I am going to share pictures of social times in my past.  I will resolutely keep to myself during the current health crisis.  In the meantime,  I can bask in memories and make plans for good times to come.

Check out the hair! Check out the glasses!

I am not sure when this was taken, but here are Steven and I and a young friend.  Look how happy Steven is!  He has a terrific smile.

How embarrassing that I do not remember their names!

Here is the owner of the End Zone Pub and Grub in Herkimer, NY, and his son.  No more hanging out at the bar for a while!  Damn!

Another pleasure temporarily gone!

Here are Steven, our friend Kim, and one of our favorite pourers, Dannielle, at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer.  Valley has suspended all tastings, but they assure me they will reschedule.  Phew!

There are many local businesses I must wait to patronize again.  I can order take-out or delivery from some restaurants.  No doubt I will, because we must all do our part to keep local businesses going.  Eating delicious food is strictly by the wayside!  I hope to write blog posts about such things in the future.

In the meantime,  I am over 250 words, and I have barely whined at all.  Score!  Happy Tuesday,  everyone!

 

Just a Fast Excuse

I shall peck out a fast excuse early Tuesday morning (YES, it does not agree with my WordPress timestamp,  I can’t help that) for not posting on Monday.  I might as well admit it, I was too depressed.

It is no use pointing out to myself that my personal situation is not that bad.  I certainly AM grateful that I am employed, that most of my loved ones are somewhat healthy (that is, they do not have Covid-19), and myriad other blessings.  Apparently it is possible to feel grateful and depressed at the same time.

Oh just listen to me whine!  Now I am depressed and embarrassed!  And about to laugh at myself, which is another blessing.  I often laugh at myself.  Sometimes it is not easy being me, but it is often amusing.

So I just wrote (actually hunt-and-peck typed with the stylus on my Tablet) myself into a better mood.  I shall quit while I am ahead, as they advise (you know them, or do I mean THEM, the giant ants?  Oh, I should have had a Monstrous Monday!).  Happy Monday/Tuesday,  everyone?

 

Scattered Sunday? Or Time to Swoon?

I don’t see why I should not have a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  We’re all stuck home, trying not to spread Covid-19 (such a comfort to call it by a name not shared by a beer or a typewriter).  Nobody can reasonably expect me to have a real Mohawk Valley Adventure.

In fact, I did leave the house, but I hope not in an unsafe fashion.  I went for a nice run this morning.  Later I went to a big box store (no need to name names) for yarn.  Then I went to Little Falls to take a walk along the canal.  I hope to write about it for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  I hope they like what I will come up with.  In any case, it was a pleasant walk.

After walking and taking a few pictures,  I returned to Herkimer to buy groceries.  I observed a few bare shelves, but I managed to get most of what I was looking for.  I was exceptionally happy to return home for the bra off, sweatpants on, movie watching portion of the day.

I have been enjoying my day but feel a bit guilty about not making a good blog post.  Shall I swoon onto a handy chaise lounge,  posed dramatically with the back of one wrist to my forehead?  I shall decide as time goes on.  I wonder if I could manage a selfie of same for tomorrow’s blog post.